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Lucca surroundings
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After visiting Lucca, if you still have time, take a visit
to the surrounding countryside and walk along the "Via
delle Ville", to discover the most beautiful villas of
the territory. The Lucchese countryside is indeed adorned
with many elegant homes, built by wealthy families of local
merchants. The architects, who built the palaces for some of the
great families in the city, were also in charge of the
construction of their luxurious country villas. |
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The main villas are about 10 kilometers from Lucca and were built in
1500 and modified over time, with the addition of staircases,
balconies, terraces, statues and gardens.
Available to visit (at the time of writing, but it is always
best to check) are Villa Mansi in Segromigno,
Villa Torrigiani in Camigliano (Baroque), Villa
Grabau and Villa Reale in Marlia. Often in winter visits
are by appointment and it is always best to call to find out
the opening hours, which vary according to the seasons.
My favorite is Villa Reale in Marlia, where at the
beginning of the 1800s, Elisa Bonaparte satisfied her
desire to purchase the neighboring properties, creating
refined rooms and expansive, scenic parkland. The complex of
buildings is surrounded by high walls and lies at the foot
of a plateau. The property covers an area of about 16
hectares. In addition to the main building, some beautiful
historical residences are located in the park which, as
mentioned, were bought at a later stage. These include the
Palazzina dell'Orologio, with its panoramic ‘loggia’ and the
Villa del Vescovo. Near the latter is the so-called "Cave of
Pan" the Nymphaeum, a covered space that functioned as a
cool refuge from the summer heat. The princess turned the
existing villa into something truly exceptional: with its
neoclassical style and elegant rooms, you will experience
vast parkland with landscaped gardens, sloping down to a
pond, cleverly surrounded by trees and plants whose colours
change depending on the seasons. The park is crossed by
avenues of camellias and houses two theatres, the Acqua and
to Verzura. In the latter, the famous violinist Niccolo
Paganini used to perform for Princess Elisa. The
Giardino dei Limoni (Garden of Lemons), with the "sculpture
of "
Leda and the Swan" is particularly lovely, as well as
the Giardino Spagnolo, in its Deco style.
In 1923 the property was purchased by the Count and
Countess Pecci-Blunt, who commissioned a French
architect of fame, Jacques Greber, to restore the
park and gardens. He created forests, streams, and the lake
that you see today, all adding to the sense of romance
offered by the location. The American artist John Singer
Sargent and later, in 1932, Alberto Moravia
stayed here, as well as in 1936, Salvador Dali. For
flower lovers, it is worth mentioning the camellias which
are grown in the villas and gardens of the Compitese area.
Every year in March, these are out in full bloom, coinciding
with a fair-market for this beautiful plant.
Other areas surrounding Lucca that are worth visiting are:
Nozzano, a small village with a castle dating to
1300, Borgo a Mozzano, a picturesque village on the
road to Garfagnana, also famous for the humpback
bridge dating back to 1000, the Ponte della Maddalena
(also known as Ponte del Diavolo - Devil's Bridge) that
crosses the river Serchio; Bagni di Lucca, a
beautiful spa town which has been a destination for European
artists for centuries and loved by English tourists;
Barga , a beautiful city with well-preserved and
picturesque steep streets and home to many cultural events.
Also to discover is Garfagnana, the mountainous area
of the province of Lucca, with mountains, hills and meadows,
marked by the River Serchio and several very characteristic
hilltop villages. There is so much natural and artistic
beauty to this area, for more information please refer to
the section on Garfagnana. Other beautiful places and so
dear to Puccini are Torre del Lago and the
Versilia, with its famous beaches, nightlife, carnival
and love of art and culture.
Garfagnana
Garfagnana is the mountainous area in the province of Lucca
and the area offers a wide variety of landscapes: Rocky
Mountains in the Apuan Alps, Apennines, gentler hills and
meadows descending into valleys. The area is marked by the
river Serchio and is dotted with villages, parks, caves and
other areas of natural beauty. Here are some of the main
attractions:
📷
Cultural attractions
Devil's bridge
This quaint medieval bridge is located in the town of Borgo
a Mozzano and connects two banks of the river Serchio. Built
by Matilda of Canossa, for centuries this bridge has served
as one of the few places where it is possible to cross the
river towards Garfagnana. For this reason, it has held an
important strategic function. It is shaped like a donkey's
back and majestically rises above the waters of the river.
The reference to the devil in its name comes from a legend,
passed down in various versions of the story. It is said
that the person responsible for building it, encountered
difficulties in its construction. Realising that he would
not be able to finish the work by the specified date, the
devil offered him a deal. The latter would complete the job
in one night, but in return would take the soul of the first
person to cross the bridge. The devil kept his promise and
the man, full of remorse, went to confession. The priest
advised him to respect the pact, but to let a pig cross the
bridge first. And so, the Devil mocked by these events,
disappeared and was never seen again.
Barga
Barga, just 35 km from Lucca, is a beautiful resort,
perfectly restored, and much loved by the British, many of
which have relocated there permanently. Of particular
interest is the Cathedral of San Cristoforo, located at the
top of the village, offering sweeping views of the
surrounding mountains; the Church of the crucifix and the
old town with its beautiful streets and Renaissance palaces;
the Teatro dei Rassicurati; restaurants, many wineries and
craft shops.
Castelvecchio Pascoli
A small town famous for the home of the poet Giovanni
Pascoli, who lived here until the early 1900, now
transformed into a museum.
Castelnuovo Garfagnana
A small town located 45 km from Lucca, famous for its rock
where Ludovico Ariosto lived during the 16th century, then
Governor on behalf of the Este family. See also St. Peter's
Cathedral and the old town as a whole.
Castiglione di Garfagnana
This interesting medieval village has preserved walls,
towers and some remaining parts of its walkway. See the
Church of San Michele and San Pietro.
Vetriano
A small town near Colognora in Garfagnana, famous for the
smallest theatre in Italy.
Celle dei Puccini
Ancestral home of the great composer Giacomo Puccini, the
town holds an interesting museum where you can find
memorabilia from the musician’s family history.
Bagni di Lucca
A famous spa founded between the late 800s and the beginning
of the 1900s as a place of residence for artists, writers
and aristocrats from all over Europe, mainly British. Today
the Anglican Church and the English Cemetery remain as a
testimony to this period. Aside from its expansive river and
incredible scenery, it has many architecturally valuable
buildings and villas just outside the city centre. For more
information, see our online guide dedicated to Bagni di
Lucca.
Coreglia Antelminelli
This town situated at an altitude of 600 metres is known for
its museum of chalk figurines, displaying some of the most
important specimens of this ancient craft. Along these are
documents and memories from the inhabitants of these areas.
Ghivizzano
This small village, situated in a panoramic position, has a
medieval Castle Tower dating back to the 1100s.
Gallicano
A village located at the bottom of the Serchio valley. The
village has several palaces of interest.
San Pellegrino in Alpe
This small village is situated at an altitude of 1500 meters
in the Apennines. It has a characteristic mountain church
and a local museum. On a clear day you can see a panoramic
view from here.
📷
Natural attractions
Wind Cave
The Wind Cave is located in the village of Fornovolasco. The
cave consists of a large cavity only discovered in 1964. The
location provides enthusiasts with a well-equipped 4 km of
tunnels, various calcareous concretions, a constant
temperature of 10.7 degrees Centigrade and experienced
geologists who will guide you through this underground
world, carved by water over millions of years. The limestone
caves have been carved over millennia and have led to the
formation of gigantic stalactites and stalagmites. The
underground landscape is really impressive, made from ponds,
streams, mud and even perfectly vertical wells. Guided tours
last 1, 2 or 3 hours. The gift shop sells geological
souvenirs and has a well-stocked book shop and refreshment
bar.
The submerged village
Heading towards the Serchio from Castelnuovo, as you turn
towards the Apuan Alps, is the Vagi Lake. This lake is known
for its village, submerged by Fabbriche di Careggine, which
resurfaces every 10 years when the lake basin is cleaned.
Orecchiella Park
This nature reserve of 50 square kilometers is dedicated to
the preservation of local fauna and flora. Many wild animals
live here, such as the Apennine wolf, eagles, deer and the
brown bear. Visitors can stay overnight inside the park, in
simple structures surrounded by nature. For more
information, contact the visitor’s centre.
Parco delle Apuane
The Park is spread over 500 square kilometers between the
Tyrrhenian coast and the Serchio valley. The scenery on the
Lucchese side consists of the Rocky Mountains and green
valleys with forests. Numerous caves and caverns can be
visited, such as the Corchia Cavern, carved by underground
water. For more information contact the Apuan Alps Centre.
Versilia and Viareggio
The Versilia coast is part of the province of Lucca. The
area is famous for its great beaches and relaxed lifestyle,
although several towns such as Pietrasanta have recently
emphasised their cultural tourism. The history of bathing
was born right here in the second half of the 19th century,
with the construction of the first bathing establishments.
The pinewoods situated behind the beaches are extensive and
well-maintained – an area of shelter from the summer heat.
The most famous of these is the Parco della Versiliana,
Marina di Pietrasanta, 80 acres of lush landscaping, which
hosts cultural events such as its festival of the same name.
In Versilia there are many places to visit such as:
Forte di Marmi
A famous holiday resort, with wide sandy beaches, lovely
walks, trendy restaurants, clubs, boutiques and nightclubs
frequented historically by many celebrities. Here you can
find the famous Capannina di Franceschi nightclub. The name
of the town comes from the Fort, built by Grand Duke Peter
Leopold in 1700 AD, situated right in the town’s centre. It
was built to defend the port and its fine marble,
transported from the Apuane Alps. Inside the Fort is the
museum of satire and caricature, one of the most important
museums of its kind in the world. The Roma Imperiale
neighbourhood is famous its many villas designed by famous
architects as Giovanni Michelucci and Giò Ponti. Here you
will find Villa Agnelli, a summer residence opened in 1929,
with an underpass leading directly to the sea.
Camaiore
Camaiore is situated 8 km from the coast and has over 30
thousand inhabitants. The city preserves many artistic
treasures within its city walls such as the famous
Collegiate Church and the Benedictine Abbey.
Lido di Camaiore
This well-equipped and modern seaside resort, with its long
beach 4 km and elegant promenade (Viale Europa), enjoys a
wealth of beaches, bars and cafés, shops and restaurants. It
also has a very pleasant Pontoon ‘Bellavista Vittoria’,
where you can have a walk, enjoy a bite to eat and take in
the sea views and Apuan Alps in the distance.
Pietrasanta
This picturesque town has a beautiful old centre with
ancient streets, such as Via del Riccetto which is paved
with river stones, or Via della Fontanella. World famous for
its nearby Apuane marble and bronze, the town has always
welcomed international sculptors and artists for work or
pleasure. Thanks to these artists, who often settled here,
Pietrasanta has become a true city of art. Worth visiting is
the Musdeo dei Bozzetti (Sketches Museum), with models of
local bronze sculptures from the mid-19th century to the
present day. Several sculptures of important local celebrity
include: Franco Adami, Fernando Botero, Pietro Cascella,
Girolamo Ciulla, Jean-Michel Folon, Igor Mitoraj, Kan Yasuda
... There are numerous art galleries, events and exhibitions,
many outdoors, especially in Piazza del Duomo and the Church
of St. Augustine. Next to the church, in the cloister, is
the local cultural centre. Besides the Cathedral, it is
worth visiting the Bell Tower, the Rocchetta Arrighina, as
well as l’Arco di Porta a Pisa. The city also has a network
of underground tunnels and strategic defensive works, such
as the city walls. Visible from the square, these are
reachable thanks to a walking route which ends at the Rocca
di Sala.
Viareggio
The capital of Versilia is a city of about 60 thousand
inhabitants. It dates from the first half of the 1500s, when
it was the only sea view in the Republic of Lucca. The
oldest building of the city, the Torre Matilde, is a
defensive fortification built by Viareggio in 1541 to
counter incursions by Corsairs. The city is home to several
interesting Art Nouveau buildings. One such is Piazza Percy
Bysshe Shelley, named after the famous English writer and
philosopher, who drowned off the beaches of the town in
1822. The town is famous, not only for its tourist industry,
but also for its international Literacy Prize and its
Carnival. The latter, which began in 1873, is characterized
by its huge papier-mâché floats which parade along the
"promenade". Puccini was at home here: he ate at the
Margherita restaurant, at the window overlooking the beach;
he met friends here such as D'Annunzio, Marconi and
Toscanini.
Torre del Lago Puccini
6 km from Viareggio is Torre del Lago, with its famous
marina and beautiful Lecciona beach, along with many
restaurants and pubs. Giacomo Puccini lived here from 1891
until his death (he died in Brussels where he went to be
treated). In this place of peace and harmony, he composed
many of his most famous operas. The composer purchased a
house in Torre del Lago in 1898, on the slopes of Lake
Massaciuccoli. Villa Puccini is richly decorated inside, has
a rectangular shape and is now a museum which also houses
the remains of the musician, his wife, son and
daughter-in-law in a private chapel. The Puccini Festival is
held in summer, hosted in the theatre by the lake, right in
front of the composer’s home. It is the most important open
air theatre in Tuscany. In the original theatre, the
Festival of Torre del Lago was held, which became a huge
success, thanks to its famous exhibitions and the
participation of some of the most illustrious names of the
opera world. Also worth visiting is the Villa Borbone, built
by Lorenzo Nottolini for Maria Luisa of Bourbon in the 18th
century along Viale dei Tigli, (most Bourbon-Parma Princes
are buried here), which leads from Viareggio to Torre del
Lago and the Church of San Giuseppe.
Massaciuccoli
This is a great place to walk, both for its flora and fauna
and for its bird watching; it comprises a large protected
area which also includes the Park of Migliarino and Tenuta
di San Rossore. From the main jetty, even the less
experienced can admire many beautiful birds in their
habitat. Just don't make noise...
Seravezza
This municipality is divided into several areas, with a
pleasant centre including Serravezza square and many shops.
Worth visiting is the Medici Villa, the summer residence of
the Medici family, the popular culture museum, the library,
the historical archives and the exhibition spaces. We
recommend the Church of Santi Lorenzo e Barbara and the
Oratorio della Santissima Annunziata.
Stazzema
Stazzema consists of small villages, situated far apart from
each other on the surrounding hills, similar to Garfagnana.
Of interest is the main village clock tower from the 1500s,
the fountain from the 1700s and the Church of Santa Maria
Assunta. Within walking distance is the sanctuary of Madonna
del Bell'Amore or Piastraio in the woods of Stazzema. The
church is now closed to the faithful, but was once the
destination for many pilgrimages. You can reach it by
following a short path in the vicinity of the Church of
Santa Maria delle Nevi in Stazzema or using the trail that
starts from Mulina. From Stazzema, there are many trails for
hikers, which ascend towards the Apuan Alps. The county is
infamous for the massacre that took place here near the end
of World War II. On the 12 August 1944, the small hamlet of
Sant'Anna di Stazzema witnessed a terrible crime against
humanity. A German SS Division killed 560 people and burned
their bodies, 130 of these were children. The full horror of
the massacre was revealed to the international community
when Judge Antonino Intelisano, during his investigations on
war crimes, discovered documents about the incident in a
Rome archive; for years these had been hushed up. In 2000 a
National Peace Park, memorial and museum were opened,
dedicated to the terrible event.
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